MAF chief Gen Zulkifli Zainal Abidin said today that Badul had a personal right to make such a request.

“We have to respect whatever he requests,” Zulkifli said, adding that matters concerning the incident have yet to be completed.

Once these are done and a final decision has been reached, Zahir’s family will be provided with a detailed briefing, he said.

Zulkifli added that constant contact had been made with the family, with visits conducted almost every day.

He was speaking during a press conference after officiating the 86th Malaysian Armed Forces Day parade held at the Royal Malaysian Navy base here.

Last night, after attending a “tahlil” ceremony for Zahir, Badul told reporters that his family was planning to request for an inquest similar to that conducted for fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim. He said the investigation would give family members an understanding of the true chronology of events surrounding Zahir’s death.

The Malaysian Army yesterday confirmed that Zahir’s death was accidental, having occurred during training, while an army investigating board classified it as an isolated incident.

Zahir, 36, was attached to the commando unit based at the Sungai Udang army camp in Melaka.

He is survived by his wife and five children aged between five months and nine.